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Greetings,
 "Enough is Enough", the title of a recent blog by Rev. Dr. Al Hathaway and the theme of a new movement led by local clergy. Dr. Hathaway is the influential pastor of the Historic Union Baptist Church located in Baltimore City. I am very thankful for this article and his transparency in writing about his inner struggle to step out and walk alongside those who live on the margins of society. His struggle is one that I am sure many clergy and faith leaders can identify with. Pastor Lester McCorn of Pennsylvania Ave AME Zion Church and Rev. Todd Yeary of Douglas Memorial Church also walked alongside Dr. Hathaway. They are demanding that the residents of 21217/21201 zip code get fifty percent of the estimated 1600 jobs that will come to their community as a result of the $1.6 billion State Center project.
My prayer is that more clergy will be inspired by his article and join the campaign for jobs, fair wages and economic empowerment. In love & service,
Jamye Wooten Kinetics
Kinetics @ United Workers Human Rights Zone March Join our Poverty and Economic Justice Group on Kinetics. This group is dedicated to individuals and organizations that are working for economic justice and the eradication of poverty.
He wants it all (Lyrics) "There's a God that walks over the earth,
he's searching for a heart that is desperate,
longing for a child that will give him their all,
give it all, he wants it all
And he says, love me, love me with your whole heart
he wants it all today
serve me, serve me with you life now
he wants it all today
bow down, let go of your idols
he wants it all today" |
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Enough is Enough
By Rev. Dr. Al Hathaway
http://www.alhathaway.com/
 I have come to learn that when a person accepts the responsibility for being a minister within an urban community; you have to come out of your comfort zone and go where the pain, injustice, and marginalization most affects people. It's a moment when theory must become reality. It's a moment when one has to take a risk for truth, justice, and the "Beloved Community." The idea of "The Beloved Community" has lost traction during this era of individualism, Tea Party, and racial disunity. Nevertheless, if our form of republic is to be great; we must never cease striving towards the vision of America The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. expressed in his dream over 57 years ago on the steps of the Nation's Capital.
Yesterday, I struggled with the same feelings he must have felt. I wrestled with the hesitancy to step outside of my comfort zone. I faced the demon of apathy. I felt the tension people feel when they believe they have no power to make a difference in their lives and the community.After much prayer, introspection, and searching of the scriptures; I came to the conclusion that "enough is enough." No longer will I stand on the sidelines waiting for someone to take on the mantle of leadership within our community. No longer will I criticize and ostracize others for what they did or didn't do.
Along with my fellow clergy persons, I stepped out on faith with the belief that there is a better way. Persons within the community are seeking an outlet for their voice. Persons in the community desire a better way of life. Persons in the community have power when they are organized.
Read More
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Baltimore Community Marches for State Center Project Jobs
by George Barnette
AFRO Staff Writer
Long before construction begins on the $1.6 billion State Center project in Baltimore, the local group Community Churches United for Baltimore Jobs said Nov. 22 it wants to make it clear that the project must provide economic benefits to those living in and around the area.
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United Workers takes part in National Day of Action Against Wage Theft
 If being paid a poverty wage were not enough, imagine having those wages regularly stolen from you. This is exactly what many harbor workers experience on a daily basis. Wage theft happens anytime a worker is not paid for their work and is common practice for many harbor vendors. That's why the United Workers and the Public Justice Center decided to take action on Thursday, November 18th, a National Day of Action Against Wage Theft. As consumers flock to the Inner Harbor and malls across the country this holiday season, we decided to let both consumers and GGP know what's going on behind the scenes.
Some of the wage theft violations reported by workers:
- Being "clocked out" hours before shift ends.
- Violations of minimum wage laws.
- Hours "shaved" to prevent having to pay time and a
half for overtime. - Paying workers on atm cards with $5-$8 service
charges each time workers check balance or take out cash.
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Living Wage Good For Elected Officials, But Not Good For Workers
November 7, 2010
By: Cory McCray, Young Trade Unionists
In July 2010, a hearing was set for a bill proposed by Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke requiring retailers with gross sales over $10 million to pay workers a living wage of at least $10.59 per hour. Employers could take $2 off the wage if they use that money for employee benefits. Restaurants would be exempt under the bill.
After four hours of testimony from Labor Unions such as the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO, Religious Leaders, NAACP, Progressive Maryland, Community Activists, and Business Owners, the Baltimore City Council took its course and voted against the proposed living wage bill.
Councilman Warren Branch, chair of the three-member labor subcommittee, voted against the bill. Councilwoman Belinda Conaway voted in its favor; Councilman Nicholas D'Adamo was absent due to his parents' poor health.
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Clergy Members March on City Council to Demand 'Living Wage' Bill
November 17, 2010 Living Wage NYC 
Nearly 100 clergy members marched silently to the City Council chambers Wednesday to demand that officials pass a bill that would force developers who get city cash to pay workers a so-called "living wage." Priests, pastors, rabbis, imams and other faith leaders began the silent procession at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Barclay Street, where they gathered in a rallying prayer for The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act. The bill would force developers who receive subsidies from the City's Economic Development Corporation and Industrial Development Agency to pay their workers at least $10 an hour - significantly higher than minimum wage. The projects affected would include everything from the new Goldman Sacks Building to the redevelopment of Yankee Stadium, advocates said. "We're standing here in solidarity with the working poor in the city of New York to demand that a living wage be passed by the City Council," said Rev. Jesse Williams, senior pastor at Harlem's Convent Avenue Baptist Church. "If developers benefit from our tax dollars, they should pay at least a living wage," he said while marching past City Hall. Critics, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have warned that raising minimum wages - especially now - would hurt the City, causing developers to take jobs elsewhere. But the clergy members framed the debate as a moral obligation and said something has to be done. |
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Onleilove Alston: Breaking Boundaries: Seven ways to build a movement that includes poor and rich
 The Jesus movement included everyone from tax collectors to sex workers; it truly was a movement of diversity. In today's world, I am encouraged to see a movement of Christians who want to "preach good news to the poor." But all too often, well-meaning progressive Christians from privileged backgrounds attempt to speak for or bring God to the poor. This is a mistake: The poor can speak for themselves, and God is already present in their communities.
As someone who experienced poverty while growing up in an inner-city community in Brooklyn, I know there is a great deal of strength among the poor; it takes enormous tenacity and resourcefulness to survive in an underserved community. I have experienced well-meaning Christians from more privileged backgrounds who feel called to serve poor people, but instead end up negating their autonomy and enacting charity, as opposed to justice.
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Doing Black Liberation in the Age of Obama
 Friday, December 3, 2010 - 7:00 PM EST
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
$10 - For ticket charge, call The Schomburg Shop at (212) 491-2206.
Join Howard Dodson, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., Dr. Obery Hendricks, and Dr. Anthea Butler for the third installment of a series of conversations on Black Liberation Theology
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Toward Economic and Social Rights
in the United States:
From Market Competition to Public Goods
The United States has not yet fully recognized economic and social human rights, including the rights to education, health, housing, work, and social security, nor does it protect and fulfill these rights. This human rights denial negatively impacts the entire population, as documented in this report by evidence of poor educational outcomes and school pushouts; high morbidity and mortality rates and lack of access to health care; increasing evictions, displacement and lack of affordable housing; poor working conditions and low wage levels; high income inequality and poverty rates and lack of adequate social safety nets.
Read Report |
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Protest to Extend Unemployment Benefits--Stop Cut-Offs
If Congress fails to act by Nov. 30th - 800,000 people will lose unemployment benefits. By the end of the year 2 million jobless will be without help. This is an outrage! Unemployment insurance is OUR money.
Called by: PEOPLES ASSEMBLY. For more info call: Job Is A Right Campaign 410-218-4835 or Ujima Peoples Progress Party 443-627-3103
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Education From The Ground Up Conference
New Lens Productions is hosting a conference on education reform. We feel that the youth need to be the main voice heard in this debate on education. We want as many young people as possible to come out and give some input on how you feel your schools should be run.
There will be various workshops and activities ranging from t-shirts making to screen printing and much, much more. So come out and be apart of this national movement to reform education and have your voice be heard.
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Wage Theft
What is Wage Theft?
Wage Theft is the illegal underpayment or non-payment of workers' wages. It affects millions of workers each year, often forcing them to choose between paying the rent or putting food on the table. Wage Theft is all around us. It robs from the government's tax coffers, resulting in cutbacks of vital services. Wage Theft puts ethical employers at a competitive disadvantage.
What are some examples of Wage Theft in the workplace?
Wage Theft includes violations of minimum wage laws; not paying time and a half overtime pay; forcing workers to work off the clock; workers not receiving their final paychecks; misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying minimum wage and overtime (as well as employers' share of FICA tax); and not paying workers at all.
What is the Stop Wage Theft Bill?
- IWJ and its workers' centers network have spearheaded an effort to get a bill passed that would include the five elements that we feel must be part of a legislated solution.
- Allies in Congress are working with IWJ to get the Stop Wage Theft Bill introduced this year.
- The Wage Theft Prevention Act (HR3303), introduced by Congressman George Miller (D-IL) in July 2009, amends the Fair Labor Standards Act so that the Department of Labor (DOL) can offer stronger protections for workers. The bill will do away with a statute of limitations that limited the DOL to two years to resolve a wage complaint. This important first step also allows workers to file private lawsuits while the DOL is still investigating a complaint.
What can I do?
- Organize a delegation of religious leaders and workers to meet with your representative and senators. Ask them to co-sponsor the Stop Wage Theft Bill.
- Hold an educational forum for your congregation or student group on Wage Theft. Invite workers, worker center leaders, and IWJ leaders to speak.
- Make sure that all workers you hire are paid all of their earned wages, and all businesses you patronize pay their workers fairly and legally.
- Email Cara Gold at cgold@iwj.org to receive copies of the Wage Theft Survey to distribute.
- To obtain more resources on Wage Theft and to keep yourself updated on the Wage Theft campaign, check out our website: www.iwj.org or go to www.wagetheft.org
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About Us
Kinetics mission is to develop new ideas that work to strengthen social movements within the African-American community; bridging the gap between church and community and providing them with the tools and skills to pursue justice and better address the needs of those whom they serve.
... You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. (Isaiah. 58:12)
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Isaiah 58:5-12
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousnesswill go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
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